Latest news
Peers call for national body to regulate use of AI in justice system
Peers have called for the creation of a new national body to regulate the use of artificial intelligence in the justice system and elsewhere in the public sector.
GPs attack “bullying” solicitors over Covid exemption letters
The British Medical Association has accused solicitors of bullying GPs by threatening legal action if the doctor does not provide a Covid vaccination exemption for their client.
The Sun backs down as it settles immigration solicitor’s libel claim
The Sun has settled a defamation claim brought by an immigration solicitor it accused of “shamelessly touting” a price list of legal aid fees for migrants arriving in small boats.
Council lawyer lied about husband’s company to get invoices paid
An in-house solicitor at Corby Borough Council who lied about giving work to her husband’s company in a bid to have two invoices paid has been struck off.
National Accident Helpline’s law firm takes greater share of cases
More than a quarter of cases brought in by National Accident Helpline are now directed to its in-house law firm, the company said today as it hailed a year of “strategic progress”.
Digital ID tools “do not breach legal services regulation”
Solicitors should not view digital identity verification as a second-best option after traditional manual checks, according to a joint statement by LawtechUK and the legal regulators.
Barrister sanctioned for “offensive” Muslim tweet wins appeal
A Bar Standards Board panel applied too low a threshold in sanctioning a barrister for a tweet about Muslims that it said would cause offence, a tribunal has ruled.
Law firm unfairly dismissed assistant solicitor absent due to cancer
A law firm unfairly dismissed an assistant solicitor who was recovering from cancer, an employment tribunal has ruled. It was also found guilty of disability discrimination.
Knights replaces shares with cash for acquisition after price crash
The collapse in listed consolidator Knights’ share price last week has led to cash replacing shares as part of the consideration for its most recent acquisition.
Standard cyber-security form to aid solicitors instructing barristers
A standardised form for solicitors to assess the cyber-security arrangements of chambers they instruct has been launched by the Law Society and Bar Council.
Blog
Regulate sole practices on evidence, not turnover
For a sole practice, the SRA’s plan that I cannot hold a compliance role if my firm has more than £600,000 of turnover is not a measure of risk. It is a ceiling on growth.
Is Google becoming pay-to-play for law firms?
For years, law firms have been told that SEO is the long-term alternative to paying for every click. That principle hasn’t disappeared but search results have changed significantly.
Material information and the case for intelligent client onboarding
Upfront information means work traditionally undertaken after an offer is accepted will need to happen earlier. And that fundamentally changes the role of client onboarding.
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